Solar PV Design & Optimization Engineer

Timmons Group is seeking an experienced Solar PV Design & Optimization Engineer to join our Energy Division. This position will focus on the design, development, and optimization of utility-scale solar PV layouts. The successful candidate will combine PV system design knowledge with energy modeling to evaluate layout alternatives, equipment configurations, and site constraints and develop efficient, constructible, high-performing PV designs.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize utility-scale solar PV layouts from conceptual design through detailed engineering.

• Evaluate site constraints, topography, grading, setbacks, environmental constraints, and equipment requirements to maximize developable capacity and energy production.

• Optimize key PV design parameters, including:• Module and tracker selection

• Row and table configuration

• Row spacing and ground coverage ratio (GCR)

• DC/AC ratio

• Inverter loading

• Module string sizing and configuration

• Tracker block and inverter/PCS configurations

• Equipment placement

• Develop and maintain PVsyst models to support layout development and design optimization.

• Evaluate the effects of terrain, near shading, electrical losses, mismatch, soiling, weather data, and other loss assumptions on energy production.

• Perform sensitivity analyses to understand the production impacts of alternative layouts and design configurations.

• Work closely with Timmons Group’s civil and electrical engineering teams to balance energy production, grading, constructability, electrical design, and overall project efficiency.

• Coordinate PV layouts with roads, stormwater facilities, substations, collection systems, wetlands, buffers, and other site constraints.

• Evaluate module, inverter, and tracker technologies and incorporate manufacturer-specific requirements into project designs.

• Support preliminary DC collection design, stringing, inverter loading, and equipment sizing.

• Review client, developer, and EPC layouts and identify opportunities for improved site utilization or performance.

• Support projects from feasibility and conceptual layout through IFC engineering.

• Develop and improve internal PV design, modeling, optimization, and QA/QC standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, or a related technical field.

• 4+ years of utility-scale solar PV design, layout, modeling, or engineering experience.

• Strong experience developing and optimizing utility-scale PV layouts.

• Proficiency with PVsyst.

• Strong understanding of:• Single-axis tracker systems

• PV modules and inverters

• DC collection systems

• Module stringing

• DC/AC ratios and inverter loading

• GCR and row spacing

• Terrain and shading effects

• Electrical and system losses

• Ability to understand and work with topographic, environmental, civil, and electrical design constraints.

• Ability to evaluate layout alternatives based on more than MW capacity alone, considering energy production, grading, constructability, and electrical implications.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary civil and electrical engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced experience with PVsyst and utility-scale PV energy modeling.

• Experience with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, GIS, or specialized solar layout/design software.

• Experience with tracker manufacturer layout requirements and design tools.

• Experience with Python, pvlib, or other tools used for PV analysis or design automation.

• Familiarity with utility-scale BESS and solar-plus-storage design.

• Experience supporting EPC, developer, EoR, or Owner’s Engineer projects.

• EIT certification or PE licensure is a plus.